KYIV, Sept 1 – The business activity expectations index (BAEI), calculated by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) on a scale from zero to 100, rose to 49.3 points in August from 48.8 in July, coming close to its neutral level of 50 points, which it reached in April-June, reaching values from 50.5 to 51.5 points.

"Persistently high security risks, limited logistical capabilities for exporting, falling exports, more damage to infrastructure, higher fuel prices, and the slow recovery of the labor market are restraining companies' economic activity, while also adversely affecting respondents’ expectations," the central bank said.